Rathlin Island

Address

RSPB Rathlin Island, Ballycastle BT54 6SB

Grid ref

NR282092

Whilst hugely important for breeding seabirds, including puffin, guillemot, kittiwake, razorbill and fulmar, Rathlin Island is also home to Northern Ireland's only pair of breeding chough and more recently corncrake. Visitors can enjoy the West Light Seabird Centre and a cliff-top, off-road walking trail at nearby Roonivoolin.

Plan your visit

Opening times

The Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre is open every day from 24 March - 16 September 2018.

24 March – 30 April 2018: 11am - 4pm

1 May - 31 August 2018: 10am - 5pm

1 – 16 September 2018: 11am - 4pm

Entrance charges

Free entrance to RSPB members

Yes

Adults

£5

Children

£2.50
Free entrance for first child
Free entrance for under 5s

Student

£3.50

Free entrance for carers

Yes

Other discounts

Free entry for island residents.

Facilities

Visitor centre

Car park off-site

Toilets off-site

Accessible toilets off-site

Refreshments

Picnic area

Viewing point

Nature trails

Shop off-site

Educational facilities

Accessibility

How to get here

By bike

Follow signed Sustrans route (route 93) from Rathlin harbour, approximately four miles away.

Other ways to get there

Ferry from Ballycastle, Co Antrim. Private Minibus service and bicycle hire available on the island. Walking trail guide available.

Nature spectacles

Seasonal highlights

From mid-April seabirds - guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, puffins, fulmars, shags and gannets. May is by far the best time to visit Rathlin to come and see the birds thronging about the cliffs in anticipation of getting the best nest sites, Spot the first chicks - hatching on bare ledges in full view of visitors.

Seabirds - guillemots, razorbills and puffins, until early August. Kittiwakes, fulmars, shags and gannets until the end of August.

Large movements of migrating birds - some heading south to a warmer climate, others seeking refuge in the UK from the cold Arctic winter.

Keep on the lookout for large flocks of birds gathering to feed, or flying at dusk to form large roosts to keep warm.

About Rathlin Island

Habitat

Rathlin Island is comprised mainly of rugged cliffs, unimproved grassland managed for corncrake and chough. There are also several lakes.

Conservation

Roonivoolin at the southernmost tip of the island, is important for wildlife, especially chough which feed there, but also lapwing, corncrake, snipe and Irish hare.

Over the past 40 years, changes to farming practices has resulted in drastic declines for all of these species. Our work aimed at creating ideal habitat for chough and corncrake is starting to pay off. The species have now returned to breed following a 20-year absence.

Our supporters at Rathlin Island are:

Northern Ireland Environment Agency

Department of Environment, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Commissioners of Irish Lights

Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust

Site information

Rathlin boasts Northern Ireland's largest seabird colony and panoramic coastal views.At the Seabird Centre, you will enjoy close-up views of Northern Ireland's biggest seabird colony, with puffins and other seabirds congregating in their thousands to breed from late April to July. We have also been working to create ideal habitat for corncrake and chough at Church Bay, Craigmacagan, Knockans and Roonivoolin reserves.

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

Children's binoculars are available and there is child-friendly assisted telescope viewing. Children's colouring is also available.

Leisure activities

From the visitor centre it is a short scenic walk and 98 steps down to the viewing platform, with binoculars and telescopes available. As part of Irish Lights’ Great Lighthouses of Ireland trail, visitors can also explore the unique ‘upside down’ lighthouse, learning about its history and the people who lived and worked there. There are a further 64 steps to the bottom of the lighthouse tower